Year: 2009
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background . The objective was to register and analyze data from all passenger injuries reported to themedical centre of a cruise ship with a median passenger load of 719 per day during a three-year period,
and to determine high risk areas, equipment, and behaviour.
Methods . All reported passenger injuries were registered at first visit. An injury was “serious” if it led to
hospitalization ashore or if full recovery was not expected within two weeks.
Results . During 3 years, 663 injuries (62.7% women) were reported aboard; 12.5% were classified as
serious. The victims” median age was 72 (range: 1–97) years. The incidence rate was 0.8 injuries per
1000 passenger-days. Most victims (65.3%) suffered injuries aboard, 3.6% on tenders, and 31.1% ashore.
The most common accident locations aboard were cabins (20.1%) and bathrooms (13.4), and ashore,
streets (29.6%) and buses (16.1%). Slips/trips/falls caused 44.8% of injuries aboard and 69.4% ashore (p
Conclusions . Passenger injuries contribute considerably to the workload of the medical team aboard.
A well-equipped, competent medical staff will effectively treat most injuries aboard and thus reduce the
number of costly and inconvenient helicopter evacuations, ship diversions, port referrals, and medical
disembarkations.
Source: PubMed
Author: Eilif Dahl
Institution: Oslo University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Transportation
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2134036610